The Similarities and Differences between Country Music and Gangsta Rap - Case Study Example

ISSUES SURROUNDING SEXUALITY, GENDER AND SOCIAL AS ADDRESSED BY GANGSTA RAP AND NEW COUNTRY GENRES Introduction Music has been a common manifestation of the culture and ethos of a society. The expression of feelings via music is as old as the spoken word. With the advent of means of recording and replay of music, the spread of music of all sorts has grown exponentially to the extent that almost every person in the world gets to hear this or that sort of music everyday. Music, especially vocal music addresses multiple issues through entertaining but sometimes disturbing lyrics. The music and lyrics may be subjective to the artist, but the genre he uses to express himself may find him addressing issues to a particular audience. The genre an artiste uses defines him and vice versa. This paper will focus primarily on issues surrounding sexuality, gender and social class as addressed by two chosen genres (new) country music and gansta rap. The aim is to find out the similarities and differences between the two genres as regards the way they affect the audience, how they portray certain issues and analysis of defining texts; “Dustbowl Dreams” by Bryan White and “Me and the World” by Tupac. Gangsta Rap Gangster (pronounced gangsta) rap is a product of hip hop culture. As a genre of hip hop music, it was started in the mid eighties by artists like Ice-T whose song “6 in the Mornin’” is credited to be the first gangsta rap song. Gangsta rap lyrics are mostly about the experiences, aspirations and frustrations of the marginalized ghetto population, primarily black and Latino. “Licensed to Ill”, an album by the Beastie Boys was one of the prominent pioneer albums in this genre. Mark Coleman reviewed the album for Rolling Stone magazine. He writes, "We drink and rob and rhyme and pillage," goes "Rhymin & Stealin," the lead cut, and that could also serve as the Beastie Credo. They also boast about smoking "dust," shooting people in the back and face, getting kicked out of White Castle and "doing it" with the aid of a Wiffle Ball bat. Though gangsta rap music does not restrict itself to the typical issues that are talked about, they do reflect some. It usually deals with racism, violence and oppression. Though the lyrics may superficially sound critical and provocative, thy do call our attention to the genuine concern of those affected i.e. the average people living in poverty in the ghettoes. It is probably the reason why this type of music finds acceptance in the typical youth who aspires to a better life but is denied it by a cruel and repressive society. Gangsta Rap portrays the image of the singer as an aggressive person. They are often misogynistic (usually women are addressed as ‘bitch’) and consistently deal with violence. (New) Country Music Country Music is a blend of all possible music styles. In fact, as it is correctly stated, “Country music isn’t really country anymore; it is a hybrid of nearly every form of popular music in America” (Hemphill, 1975). Though it has evolved over the years, new country music in the nineties, as exemplified by the popularity of Garth Brooks has consistently provided entertainment to the American public. The popularity of country music is such that Garth Brooks has become the biggest selling solo recording artist in U. S. history with sale of 128 million units (Acountry.com). Country music has been all about nostalgia, family value and lost love. The themes of belonging and alienation from a particular place, fond remembrance or wistful yearning for a future that could have been are the mainstays of country music. Because of the popularity of country music, many performers, stars in their own right have made it a point of recording country albums. Like mandatory Christmas albums, the more popular of musicians have made notable contribution to country music. Country music and Gangsta Rap as Musical Genres Country music uses many musical instruments to give effect to the essentially melodious songs. Gangsta rap tends to rely more on vocals and sounds made by using mouth, lips, tongue and voice. The dances associated with both are also profoundly different. While country music generates dance ranging from gentle swaying of his to pelvic gyrations, gangsta rap, a subgenre of hiphop necessitates a more vigorous style of dancing which in turn probably limits the acceptance of gangsta rap as a genre of choice of mature adults. Another stark contrast in the two genres is the gender bias. While many female singers have made their name in country music, even becoming icons in their own right, there are almost no known female artistes in gangsta rap, perhaps because there are so many limitations for a performer as a female. Tupacs Me against the World The first verse addresses the issue of social class. It is also consistent with gangsta rap’s depiction of the narrator being a powerful figure. Can you picture my prophecy Stress in the city, the cops is hot for me The projects is full of bullets, the bodies is droppin There aint no stoppin me Constantly movin while makin millions Witnessin killings, leavin dead bodies in abandoned buildings The second verse makes blunt statements about the young singer having nightmares about his demons in his father’s semen, which is a crude nod to the sex theme. Seein Daddys semen, full of crooked demons, already crazy and screamin I guess them nightmares as a child had me scared The third verse is more introspective and advises youngsters. This verse, though sad, is probably autobiographical (there are references about Tupac’s suffering from bipolar disorder) though Tupac still justifies his actions. Everday theres mo death, and plus Im dough-less Im seein mo reasons for me to proceed with thievin The message I stress: to make it stop study your lessons Be grateful for blessings Dont ever change, keep your essence If Im insane, its the fame made a brother change Bryan White’s Dustbowl Dreams Bryan White has this to say about his album; “The song Dustbowl Dreams was inspired by my pride as an Oklahoman, my fascination with my lineage and history, and identifying with the grit, soul, and spirit of Oklahomans, especially during the Great American Dustbowl. I love to think of myself as a product of their perseverance. Dustbowl Dreams is, in essence, the American dream.” A Comparison between the Genres as Understood in the Two Texts A comparison between the two texts reveals the stark contrast between them. “Dust Bowl Dreams” is “in essence, the American Dream” (White 2009). “Me against the world” is depiction of the nightmare. The stereotype of the two Americas – the all white clappin’ and dancin’ country fair folks and the black and/or Latino youth jivin’ and shakin’ – is obvious. There are more subtle differences. The gangsta rap style uses English as is spoken by a particular class. There are abbreviations of words to suit the rhyme and rhythm of the song, the country songs rely more on melody to make the song sound in tune. But there is a startling similarity in both genres. They both use the non-rhotic accents i.e. they both omit to pronounce the R in some cases, particularly it is the last letter of the word. Effect on Audience as perceived in Media Country music in all its manifestations is seen as a recreation, and as an art. Recognition of country music exponents as artistes started probably with their depiction as such by Paul Hemphill in his seminal work “The Nashville Sound” published in 1970. The popularity of country music which has never abated in the last century when recording music became possible makes it a most enduring cultural aspects of America, whereas gangsta rap receives harsh criticism from almost all quarters but that just might be because the music is so cathartic. As a user (BigHans) opines in an internet article, When examining “Me Against the World,” it’s difficult to accept the fact that it didn’t have to be this way, as Pac clearly had the capability of overcoming a parody of what he eventually became, but we probably wouldn’t be nearly as fascinated with him if he pulled it off. However, “G-Rap is itself racist, sexist and glorifies violence, being little but a money-making vehicle that is part of the problem rather than the solution” (Caldwell, 2008). The negative perception about music as a provocation for antisocial behavior has been present since decades, but the influence of “rap -- and in particular, the especially violent and sexually-explicit gangsta variety -- has raised special concern” (Kirchheimer, 2003). References 2008 Academy of Country Music Awards Winners. http://www.acountry.com/music/2008_academy_of_country_music_awards_winners/ retrieved on 26th August 26, 2010 BigHans (N. D.) Internet Article 2Pac Me against the World http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/38383/2Pac-Me-Against-the-World/ retrieved on 26th August 26, 2010 Caldwell, David L. Affiliating with Rap Music: Political Rap or Gangsta Rap. Novitas-ROYAL, 2008, Vol.: 2 (1), 13-27. http://www.novitasroyal.org/caldwell.pdf retrieved on 26th August 26, 2010 Coleman, Mark. Review of “Licensed to Ill” by Beastie Boys http://www.rollingstone.com/music/reviews/album/7076/36860 retrieved on 26th August 26, 2010 Kirchheimer, Sid (2003). Does Rap Put Teens at Risk? Internet Article http://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20030303/does-rap-put-teens-at-risk?page=1 retrieved on 26th August 26, 2010 Tupac, Shakur. Me against the World (1995). Interscope Records http://www.lyricskeeper.com/2pac-lyrics/297-me_against_the_world-lyrics.htm retrieved on 26th August 26, 2010 White, Bryan (2009). Quoted in Internet Review http://thatnashvillesound.blogspot.com/2009/09/cd-reviews-bryan-white-dustbowl- dreams.html retrieved on 26th August 26, 2010 Read More